From time to time I peruse James Bach’s blog because he often comes up with some pretty interesting software testing ideas and concepts about ISTQB certifications as well as software testing in general. He recently posted an article titled “Introducing Thread-Based Test Management” that I found really interesting.

Thread-based test management (TBTM) is a methodology to organize management around specific threads of activity instead of test sessions or artifacts like test cases, test documents or bug reports, and a thread is defined as a set of activities intended to solve a problem or achieve a specific objective.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

“Thread-based test management can work under even the most chaotic and difficult conditions. The only formalism required for TBTM is a list of threads. I use this form of test management when I am dropped into a project with as little a day or two to get it done. In terms of what thread-based test management looks like, it’s simple. Thread-based test management looks like a to-do list, except that we organize the to-do items into an outline that matches the structure of the testing process.”

James goes on to further describe what a TBTM test design outline might look like, how it is typically executed, where the threads come from, how to prioritize threads, and how to evaluate progress.